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Reds bank profit on squad exitspublished at 15:42 BST 18 August
15:42 BST 18 August
The expected sale of Ben Doak to Bournemouth for an initial fee of £20m - with a further £5m in add-ons a possibility - continues a summer theme of Liverpool profiting handsomely from talents developed at the club.
Jarrell Quansah left for Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m before any add-ons kick in. Caoimhin Kelleher's Brentford switch brought in £12.5m, which could rise further. Trent Alexander-Arnold's switch to Real Madrid brought in a fee of about £8m in order for Liverpool to release the defender early, though Madrid disputed the story.
Naturally, some of the fees are subject to add-ons and, such is the nature of transfer business, the reported figures may differ slightly from the deals the clubs actually struck.
But regardless, Liverpool have brought in between £80m and £90m - before add-ons - for players that cost the club a total of £600,000.
'Crying in Turin' - but what do Reds do with Chiesa?published at 14:29 BST 18 August
14:29 BST 18 August
Luke Reddy BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
"We can hear 'em crying in Turin... Federico, he came to win..."
Federico Chiesa has played a total of 479 minutes of football for Liverpool - less than some players deliver in a month.
And yet, the smiling Italian can proudly claim to be the subject of what is becoming an iconic football chant that Liverpool fans seemingly adore.
In May, the club's players pushed him forward to dance with the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop, with the likes of Andy Robertson imploring fans to send the chant rippling down the famous stand so the players could bop to its tune.
The cult-hero status some players absorb is a tough concept to logically define. Some earn it through consistency, some as local boys who did good, others for maybe a style of play that leaves them bruised and battered for the cause. Chiesa is or has produced none of the above - and yet cult-hero status seems to envelope him like a fine Italian suit.
At Friday's season opener, with the score perched at 2-2, his late introduction prompted countless Kopites to turn to those near them and state "if he scores, it's going to go mental". His late strike sent bodies sprawling in the stands and the Reds to three points.
Chiesa, signed for an initial £10m a year ago, said afterwards: "I love the club. I'm playing for one of the best clubs in the world and I feel the passion of the fans. I feel the energy. Playing at Anfield is mesmerising - it's just incredible and I'm so happy to be here."
So what should the Reds do? To sell Chiesa would raise a relatively humble figure. To keep him around requires a trust in a body that has a history of breaking down with injury, as well as a faith he can deliver an adequate level of impact when called upon.
Perhaps most interestingly, how does a club or manager put a price or metric on cult-hero status? Should they even do so? Does such emotion have a place in the cut-throat nature of transfer business?
Those blessed with cult-hero status have an intangible quality in the way they can unify a fanbase, raise spirits in a dressing room and, somehow, occasionally find themselves at the centre of magic moments. How do you ascribe a value to that?
The Kop continues to "hear 'em crying in Turin" since Chiesa's Juventus exit. But how would you feel if he said "ciao" to Anfield?
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 11:31 BST 17 August
11:31 BST 17 August
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:41 BST 16 August
12:41 BST 16 August
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Ken: Great win but, as is often the case, we made it difficult for ourselves. Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz were excellent - all our defenders had an off day, though. Quality saw us through, but not a top performance yet. Early days and what an exciting prospect for the new season. We badly miss Diogo Jota - may he and his brother rest in peace forever. YNWA.
Geoff: There is some 'bedding in' to be done, and the absence of Ryan Gravenberch was noticeable, but a good home win against a tenacious and well drilled Bournemouth side. Lots to look forward to in the season ahead.
Mark: First game of the season, three points. Team adapting to each other. No worries.
Ben: Yet again, this display showed two things - Liverpool's attacking prowess and their defensive frailties. Being caught on the break for both Bournemouth goals showed the need for a new (and faster) centre-back. Although having Isak would be nice, we don't want to keep relying on our attackers to bail us out every time (plus Ekitike, so far, seems to be showing that Isak may not be needed). If the game has been against the likes of Manchester City,Chelsea or Arsenal it would likely have been a different result. If we don't sign a decent centre-back before the transfer window closes then it will be much harder to defend our title.
Max: I've thought for ages that Chiesa didn't get enough game time, and he will be food for thought over the next few weeks for Slot. Apart from the defending, it was a great game - entertaining, emotional and gripping.
Steve: Disjointed, less energy and far too much exposure in defence. As a life-long supporter, I'm seeing performances that are too much like the barren years. We need urgency, control and that 'get it all together ' approach. Hope we have time.
Bournemouth fans
Kathryn: I was worried beforehand but I thought we played a really high-pressing game. Amazing goals from the wonderful Semenyo against the best team in the world?! Marred by racism which was very upsetting for him. Disgusting and I'm very sorry it happened. Cherries are definitely going to Europe!
Steve: I was there with my son. It felt cruel to lose it so late but we look like a team with the potential to develop and improve.
Paul: Looked at lot better than I thought they would with so many key players going. Unfortunately, defensive errors and deflections prove costly. Everyone had us down to be returned to the Championship but I think we have proved we are more likely to be nearer Champions League.
Lee: Made a good fist of it considering a number of players who would have likely started were out injured. We looked a threat going forward and caused Liverpool problems. Sadly, you can't win a game of football conceding four goals, but I'm very optimistic after seeing that display that the mighty Cherries will have another good season. Atmosphere in Anfield was electric - I was so pleased to have been there in person.
Charl: Excellent performance full of energy and desire to not be beaten. Every player helping each other to contain a formidable opponent. Tactically superb set-up. Clumsy defending cost us but that will come.
Charles: Good start for the Cherries, expected to lose but did enough to be respected. Small details and a bit more luck could have seen a positive result. Semenyo was immense. Hopefully a tighter midfield with Cook and Christie back will see the best of the team. Defence are working hard to gel. It will get better.
Ekitike shines but champions well below parpublished at 11:50 BST 16 August
11:50 BST 16 August
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot wasted no time in integrating his expensive summer acquisitions as he gave first Premier League starts to the quartet of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez - against his former club - Florian Wirtz and Ekitike.
Frenchman Ekitike was far and away the pick of the bunch with a vibrant performance as scorer and creator, deservedly receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted after 71 minutes.
Wirtz was quiet in the number 10 role behind Ekitike ,in what was a disjointed Liverpool display lacking so much of the calm and cohesion that was the trademark of Slot's first season in charge - which led to Liverpool strolling to the title.
And, as in the Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace, there was a vulnerability running through this Liverpool side that will need work and almost resulted in them squandering a win that was theirs for the taking for the first hour.
It needed a typical late surge in front of The Kop to claim the three points in the face of a Bournemouth response which exposed Liverpool's defence far too often - especially down the flanks and through midfield, where the stabilising influence of the suspended Ryan Gravenberch was sorely missed.
Liverpool, however, gathered themselves as champions do, with Federico Chiesa finally making his mark after life in the shadows at Anfield to put them back in front, Mohamed Salah inevitably rounding things off.
It is only to be expected that the arrival of so many new faces, no matter how gifted, will lead to instability and this has been in evidence, leaving Slot with work to do to put all his many new pieces into place.
Liverpool were delighted with the three points, with Anfield celebrating accordingly, but this was a real scare as the champions were far from their best.
Hugo Ekitike became only the second player to both score and assist a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, after Darwin Núñez against Fulham in August 2022. Indeed, Ekitike was the first Frenchman to score and assist on his debut in the competition, while the last player of any nationality to do so was Núñez in August 2022.
Cody Gakpo has scored 17 goals in his last 18 starts at Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring at least once in 11 of his last 12 games as a starter at the ground.
'It's a new journey' - Leoni on 'crazy' Reds transferpublished at 17:47 BST 15 August
17:47 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty Images
New Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni says it is "crazy" and he is "honoured" after completing his move from Parma.
The 18-year-old has signed a six-year contract with the club for £26m, plus add-ons.
Leoni has been a key target for Liverpool as they look to bolster their defence and it was confirmed on Thursday by Reds boss Arne Slot that a deal had been agreed for the young centre-back.
The Italy Under-19s international began his career at Padova and had a short spell at Sampdoria before joining Parma last summer.
He enjoyed a breakthrough Serie A campaign last season, making 17 appearances as Parma finished 16th, five points above the relegation zone.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here," Leoni told club media.
"Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I'm so honoured. I was very happy [about Liverpool being interested]. When I saw this I said: 'Wow, this is crazy.' I'm very happy."
The latest signing takes Liverpool's spending this transfer window to just shy of £300m and Leoni is set to be in the stands when the Reds begin the defence of their Premier League title against Bournemouth later on Friday.
"I want to improve a lot with my new team-mates in training and after on the pitch, in the Premier League and the Champions League," he added.
"I'll watch the game [against Bournemouth at Anfield] in the stadium. Then, after the game, it's a new journey."
Liverpool v Bournemouth: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 15:36 BST 15 August
15:36 BST 15 August
Jordan Butler BBC Sport journalist
Champions Liverpool kick-off the new Premier League season at Anfield against a Bournemouth side in a transitional period. BBC Sport analyses some of the key themes going into the opener.
"We need time to adapt", said Liverpool boss Arne Slot last weekend after he fielded four new players in their Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace.
The champions have splashed £265m on summer signings to enhance an already strong squad, with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz all starting last Sunday.
Despite the loss, the performance was largely positive and Ekitike and Frimpong's goals felt like a sample of things to come. It was the first time that two Liverpool debutants have scored in the same competitive game since Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez both did against Maccabi Haifa in 2006.
Slot was understandably disappointed by his team's false start at Wembley, especially as they twice relinquished the lead, so a return to fortress Anfield for the season opener is welcome.
The Reds lost just one Premier League home game last season – a 1-0 reverse to Nottingham Forest in September – and won 46 of a possible 57 points on their own patch. Two of their four home draws came after they had already clinched a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in May.
'Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson'
A Friday night visit to the champions would probably not be top of Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola's wishlist when the fixtures were announced, particularly as he is without four of his first-choice back five.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, central defenders Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi and left-back Milos Kerkez have all left the club for pastures new, with the latter set to line up for Liverpool this week. The Cherries have banked more than £144.5m from those deals – making a £90m profit – but replacing them will not be easy.
Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson who remains at the club after a solid first season. His is also dangerous on the road, with seven of the Brazilian's 10 league goals coming at opposition grounds.
Of players to score 10 or more top-flight goals last term only one netted a higher percentage away from home – his team-mate Justin Kluivert.
Bournemouth can also take confidence from their record on the opening weekend. The south coast side haven't started a league season with a defeat in any of the last seven years, winning three and drawing four.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Bournemouthpublished at 12:24 BST 15 August
12:24 BST 15 August
We will have to see how all of Liverpool's new players settle in, and also, sub-consciously, the effect the sad loss of Diogo Jota will have on their squad - it is very difficult to measure that.
Bournemouth have sold most of their defenders, but I still think they will be fine this season because they are so well-organised under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool signed one of them, Milos Kerkez, but their boss Arne Slot is still worried about his backline by the sounds of things, because of the goals they have leaked in pre-season.
So, I would expect some goals in this one, especially because Bournemouth are always quite attack-minded.
The Cherries will score at Anfield, but Liverpool will score more.
They have made a few changes to their team but they are the champions and they are at home. They will get over the line, and Mohamed Salah will get off the mark, although I am not sure I am going to get him into my Fantasy Premier League team.
